The Pope County Quorum Court was greeted by a standing-room-only audience during Thursday’s regular meeting and heard spokesmen for and against the proposed Center Valley Gardens cemetery and crematorium.

After less than half an hour of discussion, Justice of the Peace Doug Skelton asked resident Scott Steuber if the court could take a month to review more facts and look at an ordinance that would oppose the construction of the cemetery and crematorium during next month’s meeting.

Steuber presented four pages of facts he researched because he was concerned about the health and safety of his children, who will attend Center Valley Elementary School.

Jim Bob Humphrey has proposed to build a 35-acre site along Center Valley Road and State Highway 124, next to the school, that would include a cemetery as well as a 3,000-square-foot administrative space to include a reception area, meeting and conference rooms, office space, chapels and a state-of-the-art crematorium unit.

“I’m not against the cemetery. I have concerns about the crematorium,” Steuber said. “I want the Quorum Court to pass a resolution opposing the crematorium. It would mean a lot to me.”

Humphrey, who has hosted two public meetings regarding Center Valley Gardens, said he also believes about the safety of the proposed facility.

“My family will work there. Our employees will work there. Then, there are 300 to 400 children next door,” he said. “I think safety is incredibly important.”

Humphrey, who said his funeral home conducted 50 cremations last year, said the incinerator would not come near the 764 tons, or 1.528 million pounds, the proposed incinerator would be permitted to burn. According to Steuber’s information, the crematorium would be permitted by the state to burn 8,731 people a year, at an average of 175 pounds.

“They are not pounds,” Humphrey responded. “Anyone who has lost a relative, loved one, friend and brings in their remains, they are not pounds to us. Dignity is at the core of what I do every day.”

Humphrey added he met with Superintendent Randall Williams on Wednesday, and agreed to donate 1.7 acres of land to the Russellville School District. The land belonged to his grandfather, the late Jess A. Humphrey.